2009 Iowa Code
Title 6 - Human Services
Subtitle 5 - Juveniles
CHAPTER 232 - JUVENILE JUSTICE
232.178 - PETITION.

        232.178  PETITION.
         1.  For a placement initiated on or after July 1, 1992, the
      department shall file a petition to initiate a voluntary placement
      proceeding prior to the child's placement in accordance with criteria
      established pursuant to the federal Child Welfare Act of 1980, Pub.
      L. No. 96-272, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 627(a).  For a placement
      initiated before July 1, 1992, the department shall file a petition
      to approve placement on or before September 1, 1992.
         2.  The petition and subsequent court documents shall be entitled
      "In the interests of ....., a child".
         3.  The petition shall state the names and residence of the child
      and the child's living parents, guardian, custodian, and guardian ad
      litem, if any, and the age of the child.
         4.  The petition shall describe the child's emotional, physical,
      or intellectual disability which requires care and treatment; the
      reasonable efforts to maintain the child in the child's home; the
      department's request to the family of a child with mental
      retardation, other developmental disability, or organic mental
      illness to determine if any services or support provided to the
      family will enable the family to continue to care for the child in
      the child's home; and the reason the child's parent, guardian, or
      custodian has requested a foster family care placement.  The petition
      shall also describe the commitment of the parent, guardian, or
      custodian in fulfilling the responsibilities defined in the case
      permanency plan and how the placement will serve the child's best
      interests.  

         89 Acts, ch 169, § 5; 92 Acts, ch 1229, § 12; 99 Acts, ch 111, §
      2, 7
         Referred to in § 237.13
         1999 amendment to subsection 4 is effective September 6, 2000; 99
      Acts, ch 111, § 7